NM Jail Refuses To Detain Immigrants for ICE; Selena's Legacy; And More

· A federal judge rejects requests by federal agents to detain prisoners while their immigration status is checked.

· San Diego leaders get a direct say in Mexican legislation pertaining to immigration.

· What schools can and can’t do to accommodate students practicing their religious faiths.

· Four UTSA students cross the Gulf of Mexico to Cuba - thanks to their forward thinking teacher.

· The far reaching legacy of the young Texas singer known as Selena. She died 22 years ago.

Credit my_southborough via Creative Commons

Judge Stops Jails From Detaining Prisoners For ICE

A New Mexico federal judge stops a jail from holding inmates so federal agents can determine prisoner immigration status. This month, the Trump administration started publishing a weekly report of local and state law enforcement agencies that refuse to detain people while Immigration and Custom Enforcement determines their legal status. But a New Mexico federal judge recently approved a settlement that prohibits the San Juan County jail from doing just that - holding inmates past their release date when ICE agents request it. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Somos Un Pueblo Unido, a Santa Fe-based immigrant advocacy group. KUNM’s Chris Boros spoke with Somos Communications Director Neza Leal about the case.

There's a new form of cooperation happening on the California - Mexico border. The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce signed a historic memorandum of understanding with Mexico’s Senate on Tuesday. The agreement expands the influence of San Diego and northern Baja California leaders, giving them direct say on Mexican legislation related to ports of entry, trade and immigration. It also establishes a working group made up of business leaders and politicians from the San Diego-Tijuana region, as well as members of the Mexican Senate. Jean Guerrero of KPBS has details from Mexico City.

Classrooms or other areas designated for prayer are not that unusual in public schools. Legally, schools can make accommodations for students who want to practice their faith.

Credit Lara Solt / Special contributor to KERA

Prayer Rooms Help Schools Accommodate Religious Freedom

We told you last week that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office sent a letter, raising constitutional concerns about a prayer room at a suburban Dallas high school. The Frisco school superintendent called the letter a publicity stunt and says the prayer room has been in use for several years without complaints. As KERA’s Stella Chavez reports, prayer rooms are just one way public schools in Frisco and across Texas accommodate students and religion.

In response to the prayer room controversy stirred by Texas Attorney General Paxton's letter, his office recently issued the following statement. "We are grateful for Frisco ISD’s prompt response and have been in contact with their attorneys. They assured us today that students of all faith, or no faith, may now use this meeting room during non-instructional time on a first-come, first-served basis for student-led activities. Religious liberty is a cornerstone of our society and we are glad that students at Frisco ISD may practice their faith in accordance with their beliefs."

UTSA Guitar Ensemble

Credit Jack Morgan

UTSA

Guitarists Play Concerts In Cuba

Four guitarists studying at the University of Texas at San Antonio recently took their instruments to Cuba to make beautiful music and represent the Alamo City. They played four concerts for Cuban locals during their week there and left more than impressions. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan caught up with them before their culturally immersive trip.

Thousands of fans celebrated the legacy of Selena Quintanilla this past weekend in Corpus Christi at Fiesta de la Flor. The iconic singer, known by her first name, was killed 22 years ago this month – in her 23rd year of life. In the two decades since her death, Selena has been embraced by the LGBQT community and by one transgender woman in particular. The Texas Standard’s Reynaldo Leanos, Jr. has the story.